Colombia Suspends Coal Exports to Israel Due to War in Gaza
In a significant geopolitical development, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Saturday that Colombia will suspend coal exports to Israel in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. This decision marks a dramatic shift in relations between two countries that were previously close military and commercial allies. President Petro made the announcement on the social media platform X, stating that coal exports would only resume “when the genocide” in Gaza stops. He also shared a draft decree indicating that coal exports would only recommence if Israel complies with a recent order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to immediately halt its military operations in Rafah, which pose a risk to the civilian population sheltering there. Israel, however, denies allegations that its military actions constitute genocide, asserting that its operations are focused on terror groups that operate within civilian areas. The Colombian government has clarifie
